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Can dogs eat pretzels? What to know

Can dogs eat pretzels? What to know

What would be a movie night without a delicious, salty snack like pretzels! It just wouldn’t be the same! But, while you’re snacking on your pretzels, someone keeps staring at you, and it’s not your partner or your child… It’s your furry best friend! You feel tempted to give him or her a few pretzels, but then you wonder can dogs eat pretzels?

It’s good that you’re asking that question before giving your pooch a bite or two. You should always do research before feeding any human food to your canine friend. Not every food that is good or healthy for us, is safe for dogs.

In this article, we’re going to answer the question of should and can dogs eat pretzels (spoiler alert, they really should not).

With that being said, we have many articles on other different human snacks and why you shouldn’t be giving them to your dog:

Can dogs eat pretzels?

So, can dogs eat pretzels? The answer is a clear no, and here is why. Even though pretzels don’t contain anything toxic for dogs, your canine still shouldn’t consume them, and you’ll see why.

Why dogs shouldn’t eat pretzels

When you look at the ingredient list of pretzels you won’t find anything too alarming. This snack is mostly made out of Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Salt, Corn Oil, Corn Syrup, Ammonium Bicarbonate, Malt Extract, and Yeast.

can dogs eat pretzels
The issue with pretzels is that they are very salty

However, the biggest concern with pretzels is the salt! Pretzels are usually very high in salt content, which we all know is not good for dogs at all!

Too much salt will not only make your dog super thirsty, but it can also have serious effects on your canine’s health as well!

Why too much salt is bad

Too much salt isn’t good for us humans nor dogs! We don’t want to scare you, but too much salt or sodium poisoning can even lead to death in severe cases…

The amount of salt your dog can take in a day is much lower than yours. For example, a dog that weighs 33 pounds, should only consume around 100 milligrams of sodium a day! This is why many veterinarians advise dog owners to feed their canines low-sodium dog food.

What can happen if a dog eats too much salt?

Salt is important in your dog’s diet, it’s just crucial that you know how much is enough. If your dog eats too much salt it can easily happen that they suffer from a condition called hypernatremia or salt poisoning.

Generally speaking, your dog needs to eat very large amounts of salt to get sodium poisoning. However, sometimes it can even occur if your dog ate moderate amounts of salt and salty food.

Too much salt in a dog’s diet can lead to sodium poisoning

There are several symptoms of salt or sodium poisoning you should be on the lookout for if you suspect your dog ate too much salt.

Symptoms of sodium poisoning

Sometimes the symptoms of salt poisoning won’t appear straight away. It can actually take several days for symptoms to occur.

Some symptoms of too much salt can be minor, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Symptoms of salt poisoning include:

  • low appetite,
  • excessive thirst,
  • vomiting,
  • diarrhea,
  • depression,
  • scratching and disorientation,
  • weakness,
  • lethargy
  • tremors,
  • high temperature,
  • seizures,
  • coma

If you notice any of these, please immediately call your veterinarian and let them know! If left untreated salt poisoning can in severe cases even lead to death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the biggest issue with pretzels is their high salt content. We’ve explained why too much salt can be lethal to your dog.

If you really want to share a few pretzels with your canine friend, then you can share unsalted pretzels with them.

However, to be completely honest and straightforward, why would you even give your dog pretzels? If you want them to enjoy a nice snack, there are so many other healthier options, for example, apples, blueberries, or sugar snap peas.

You can even make delicious and healthy DIY snacks and treats for your pooch:

  • How to make a dog cake: What you need to know
  • Dog Ice Cream: The perfect treat for your pooch!

Pretzels don’t have anything that could benefit your dog’s health, and they are simply added calories that over time can make your dog obese.

My name is Jackie and I am a veterinarian with a degree in veterinary medicine. With extensive experience in treating various animals, I am known for my compassionate and personalized approach to animal care.